Just 115 New Zealanders donated eye tissue last year, as hundreds wait to have their sight restored

More than 500 New Zealanders were waiting for a corneal transplant to restore their vision at the end of last year, yet just 115 people donated eye tissue in 2025 – a shortfall so significant that eye specialists regularly have to source donated corneas from overseas to meet demand.  

Organ Donation New Zealand (ODNZ) is marking Eye Tissue Donation Awareness Week from 7 to 13 September, urging New Zealanders to learn and talk more about eye tissue donation, given how few people realise they may be eligible. 

Unlike organ donation, which is only possible in around 1 in 75 deaths in New Zealand, almost anyone can donate their eye tissue after death, says ODNZ Clinical Director Jo Ritchie. 

“It’s important for people to know that eye tissue donation can be considered for almost anyone aged 10 to 85, regardless of where or how they die.” 

Many common eye conditions like poor sight, glaucoma, cataracts or previous LASIK surgery don't rule someone out, and even people who can't donate organs due to a cancer diagnosis can usually still donate eye tissue. 

With some pre-planning, the donation process can happen up to 48 hours following death. It takes around 30 minutes, doesn't delay funeral arrangements, and doesn't affect how the person looks. 

"We are so incredibly grateful to those 115 donors and their families, whose generosity will have had a life changing impact on so many people in need, but hundreds of New Zealanders are still waiting,” says Dr Ritchie. 

“Now, we are asking everyone to talk to their whānau about their donation wishes, so more people can access the sight-saving and life-changing treatment they need." 

ODNZ has published a range of resources to support the public and health practitioners on their website at www.donor.co.nz/eye-tissue-awareness-week.  

“We know from local research that while most people support the concept of donation, many haven’t discussed it with their loved ones. With one donor able to help restore sight or eye function for up to ten people, every conversation about donation holds enormous potential.” 
 
 
Liam’s story  

Liam Drinkwater was just 12 when his teacher noticed he was holding books too close, and he was soon diagnosed with keratoconus, a progressive eye disorder that affects the shape of the cornea. 

New Zealand has one of the highest rates of keratoconus globally. It’s often diagnosed in childhood and around one in four people will go on to need a corneal transplant.  

For Liam, who was already navigating learning and communication difficulties following a brain injury at birth, preserving his sight was especially important to his independence.  

With determined parents by his side through several years of specialist care, he eventually received a cornea from a USA-based donor via a tissue exchange programme in 2010.  

Liam’s mum Kathie says it was the only option available at the time to repair his cornea before it ruptured, helping restore his sight and avoid later surgeries that were less likely to be successful. 

“Unless you’ve had an experience with a condition like Liam’s, you may not realise the huge need for eye tissue donation, or the incredible impact it can have,” says Kathie. 

Today, Liam’s donated cornea is still serving him well as he pursues his many passions of playing basketball, travelling, volunteering in his community, and hunting and fishing with his dad.  

“We will always be grateful to Liam’s donor and to the medical professionals that made it possible. It’s why our family want to be donors, and why we want to encourage others to consider it too.” 

The facts about eye tissue donation 

• At the end of 2025, more than 500 people were waiting for a corneal transplant to restore their vision. Many more people need donated sclera (the white part of the eye) which is used in surgery to restore eye function after disease or trauma.  
• In 2025, 36% of corneas for transplant in New Zealand were sourced from overseas.  
• Almost anyone aged 10 to 85 can be considered to donate eye tissue after death, regardless of where or how they die.  
• One donor's corneas can restore sight for two people, while their sclera, the white part of the eye, can help return normal eye function for as many as eight more. 
• A New Zealand qualitative study published in 2026* found that 90% of participants would agree to donation on behalf of a loved one, but only around 20% had discussed donation intentions with their loved ones. 
• People who wish to donate after death should share their wishes with their family, and if applicable, their end-of-life care team. 

Sources: 

• NZ National Eye Bank https://eyebank.org.nz/index.php?id=28  
• Allen, N., Gokul, A., Zhang, J., Rapata, M., Niederer, R. & McGhee, C. (2026). Barriers to eye donation in Aotearoa New Zealand: a novel qualitative analysis. New Zealand Medical Journal, 139(1632), 71–81. DOI: 10.26635/6965.7234. 

For more information, please contact: 
Megan Green, Network Communication, 027 221 7126, [email protected]  
Ximena Smith, New Zealand Blood Service 027 844 0073, [email protected] 

About Organ Donation New Zealand  
ODNZ provides a 24-hour, 7-days a week, clinical service for deceased organ and tissue donation to health professionals in hospitals throughout New Zealand. 
 
ODNZ works with those health professionals to ensure that processes for deceased donation are nationally consistent and meet the highest medical, ethical and legal standards.  
 
ODNZ coordinates the process of donation which provides organs and tissues to transplant units in New Zealand and Australia and tissue banks in New Zealand.  
 
It also provides ongoing support for donor families, education and training for healthcare professionals and accurate factual information to the public. 
 
In 2019, ODNZ was integrated into New Zealand Blood Service’s national organisation.